5 great Joakim Noah moments with the Bulls

Someone who rocks with a bow tie and seersucker suit on his draft night is bound to create his share of memorable moments. Over nine seasons with the Bulls, Joakim Noah didn't disappoint.

With the popular and passionate big man headed to the Knicks in free agency, here are five indelible incidents that capture Noah's skill and savvy:

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Steal and dunk on Paul Pierce in 2009 playoffs: Watch this play multiple times and it still will amaze. A near 7-footer overplays the passing lane, steals the ball from Pierce and dribbles the entire court to dunk in coordinated fashion — fouling out the Celtics' All-Star in the process — for a three-point play. That it gave the Bulls the lead for good in triple overtime in a win-or-go-home Game 6 scenario cements its place in franchise lore.

Joakim Noah dunks on Celtics' Paul Pierce for a 3-point play in the third overtime during Game 6 of the NBA Eastern Conference quarterfinals at the United Center on Thursday, April 30, 2009. (Scott Strazzante / Chicago Tribune)

Anti-Cleveland rant in 2010: Befitting his defiant competitiveness, Noah launched into a serious rebuke of the city of Cleveland when Tribune columnist David Haugh asked him after a Game 2 playoff loss if he regretted saying "Cleveland sucks" before the series.

"Not at all," Noah said, drawing laughter. "You like it? You think Cleveland's cool? I mean, I never heard anybody say I'm going to Cleveland on vacation. I mean, what's so good about Cleveland?"

A Cavaliers fan holds a sign in protest of Joakim Noah before Game 2 of the Eastern Conference quarterfinals on Monday, April 19, 2010, in Cleveland. (Tony Dejak / AP)

Game 7 performance vs. Nets in 2013 playoffs: Derrick Rose was out for the season after his first knee surgery. Luol Deng had a near-death experience after a botched spinal tap. Kirk Hinrich was out with a ruptured calf muscle.

Uncertain he even could play earlier in the series because of plantar fasciitis, Noah first guaranteed victory. Then he stuffed the box score with 24 points, 14 rebounds and six blocks in a virtuoso performance to close out the series on the road.

"I love you, Mommy!" Noah screamed as he hugged his mother afterward.

Joakim Noah in celebration after the 99-93 win over the Nets in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference quarterfinals at the Barclays Center on Saturday, May 4, 2013, in Brooklyn. (John J. Kim / Chicago Tribune)

Man of the people speech in 2014: Noah uncharacteristically declined to speak to reporters for close to a week after the January 2014 trade of close friend Luol Deng. When he did, he offered a stirring and passionate explanation for why playing for the Bulls and Chicago meant so much to him.

"When I come to the game, I see the guy selling the newspapers on the streets. (It's) cold outside — when he sees me driving by, he's excited. You know what I mean? He's excited. He's like, 'All right. Let's go Bulls! Get it done tonight!' I feel like I play for that guy," Noah memorably said.

"Like when I look at the top of the arena, and I look up top and I see teams call timeout, and I see the guy who looks this big and he's up cheering up and down, jumping up and down, that's the guy I play for.

"To me, that's what this city represents. There's a lot of hardship in here, a lot of adversity in this city, and I feel like when I play basketball I want people to be proud of their team."

At the United Center, Joakim Noah avoids talking to the media about the trade of 10-year veteran and teammate Luol Deng on Jan. 7, 2014. (Phil Velasquez / Chicago Tribune)

Speech after winning Defensive Player of the Year award in April 2014: Capping his best individual season, for which he earned first-team All-NBA honors and finished fourth in MVP voting, Noah eloquently thanked family, friends, teammates and coaches for this honor.

But he saved his most meaningful words for Tyrone Green, the New York-based youth basketball coach who helped shape Noah and who had died unexpectedly at 63 the week before.

"This award goes to somebody who I'll never forget, somebody who just passed and meant so much to me, who believed in me," Noah said, addressing his loss for the first time beyond a statement. "Mr. Green, I love you. I appreciate you. And I know you're smiling down right now really proud. This award goes to you."

Joakim Noah is given the 2013-2014 Kia Defensive Player of the Year trophy at the United Center on Tuesday, April 22, 2014. (John Kim / Chicago Tribune)